Whenever there's a new Siena poll out -- like this Monday morning -- the headline is often about the favorability of whoever the governor is or some sort of major issue that's been getting a lot of attention lately.

But the poll typically asks people about a range of issues. We like to pick through these results from the backend of the poll because they provide a peek at how people are feeling about this stuff and some of the dividing lines that run (or don't) through the electorate -- Democrats and Republicans, young and old.

Here are a few such bits -- including about recreational marijuana -- from this new Siena poll...

From the Siena poll out Monday: 76 percent respondents support allowing ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft to operate across the state.

And the proposal has widespread support, according to the poll results. More than 70 percent of respondents across every subgroup -- political, age, racial income, and so on -- supported the idea, with one exception. That group: people over age 55, in which the proposal had the support of 65 percent (and 14 percent said they didn't know or didn't have an opinion).

As you know, the issue is up again in the state legislature, and Andrew Cuomo has said he supports it.

Other bits from this Siena poll about issues such as the SUNY free tuition proposal, the Empire State Trail, Andrew Cuomo, and Donald Trump...

Almost a third of all Capital Region respondents in a new Siena poll say they intend to go to the new Rivers Casino and Resort in Schenectady at some point to gamble. And about 40 percent said they intend to go there for entertainment of some sort such as dining or the spa.

The Siena Research Institute poll of residents in the following counties: Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady. It was sponsored by New York Council on Problem Gambling.

A few other bits from the poll, which asked people about the casino and other forms of gambling:

Amount planned to spend on gifts
The two biggest ranges:
+ $0-$299: 31 percent of respondents.
+ $1,000 or more: 24 percent of respondents
(This question had a large margin of error: +/- 7.4 percent.)

Online shopping
A third of all respondents said they planned to do no online shopping for holiday gifts -- 18 percent said they planned to do 75-100 percent online.

Types of gifts
+ "I try, as much as I can, to buy practical gifts, things that they need and will use more than impractical things that they may want": 62 percent.
+ "While I may give some items that they may need like clothes, this is the time to splurge on special or memorable gifts that they want more than they need": 31 percent.

Republicans who told the Siena poll they'd vote for either Clinton or Sanders.

A lot of the stuff about the presidential race in the Siena poll out Monday is, well, pretty much what you'd expect in New York State. Democratic respondents said they preferred Hillary Clinton to Bernie Sanders 55-34 in a primary. And respondents picked Clinton over all the potential Republicans in a theoretical matchup by relatively consistent margins of about 57-32 (or thereabout).

But one of the things about Hillary Clinton is that she's a polarizing figure -- even here in New York State, which elected her to the US Senate. That table above lists how many Republican respondents to the Siena poll said they would vote for either Clinton or Bernie Sanders in a hypothetical matchup with each of the various Republican contenders. (The margin of error for Republicans in the poll is relatively high -- see below -- so grains of salt.)

Yep, some number of Republicans not only said they're likely to vote for the Democrat -- but a portion (or portions) said they'd be more likely to do so if the Democrat was Bernie Sanders instead of Hillary Clinton. And just going on general ideology, that's kind of unexpected because Sanders has repeatedly described himself as a socialist -- and even criticized Clinton for being too moderate.

Of course, there's a lot more to the situation, including a Hillary Clinton's long history in the political spotlight. But, still, the preference is a little surprising.

+ When asked if they would be making a New Year's resolution, 34 percent of respondents said yes and 62 percent said no.

+ Of the people who said they would be making a resolution, 28 percent said it would be either "lose weight" or "get in shape." Those were the two most common answers. Among the other answers: "be a better person" at 10 percent.

+ When asked how likely it would be that 2016 would see them "get in the best physical shape youÂ´ve been in for many years," 63 percent answered either "very" or "somewhat" likely to occur.

+ When asked how likely it would be that 2016 would see "your financial life will improve more than it has in years," 53 percent replied either "very" or "somewhat" likely to occur. (It was 43 percent for upstate.)

+ In 2016 "you will succeed in completing a major project that youÂ´ve wanted to complete for a long time." 73 percent replied "very" or "somewhat" likely.

+ In 2016 "New York StateÂ´s Economy will have a strong year and by all measures - consumer sentiment, employment, the stock market, earnings - will be the best weÂ´ve seen in 10 years." 55 percent responded "not very likely" or "not at all likely" to occur. (It was 64 percent upstate.)

+ In 2016 "you will move out of New York State." 78 percent said "not very" or "not at all" likely to occur. (It was 79 percent for upstate.)

SRI says the poll was conducted November 16-December 7 and included 801 New York State residents. Margin of error is +/- 4.1.

+ 24 percent of respondents with a pet said they dress their pet up in a costume at least once in a while.

+ 44 percent said they celebrate their pet's birthday at least once in a while.

+ 59 percent of pet owners said they talk to their pet as if it were a human being "all the time."

+ Estimates of how much spent on a pet each year: less than $500 - 27 percent | greater than $500, but less $1000 - 38 percent | at least $1,000 but less than $2,000 - 19 percent | $2,000 or more - 15 percent

Siena Research Institute says the poll was conducted September 1-28, included 800 respondents, and has a margin of error of +/- 4.3.

When given the choice of letting the New York State minimum wage rise to the already-scheduled level of $9/hour next year or raise it to $10.50 per hour, almost 3/4 of respondents in a Siena poll out today picked the $10.50 level.

Here's the question text from the Siena poll, because it was a little complicated:

The current minimum wage in New York State is eight dollars seventy-five cents per hour. It is scheduled to go to nine dollars per hour next year. When it comes to the minimum wage, among the following three choices, do you agree more with the State Senate, which wants it kept at nine dollars per hour, OR Governor Cuomo, who wants it increased to ten dollars fifty cents per hour, OR the State Assembly, which wants it increased to ten dollars fifty cents per hour now, with provisions to go higher in future years?

And the answer options:

+ "State Senate, which wants it kept at nine dollars per hour": 26 percent of all respondents

+ "Governor Cuomo, who wants it increased to ten dollars fifty cents per hour": 20 percent of all respondents

+ "State Assembly, which wants it increased to ten dollars fifty cents per hour now, with provisions to go higher in future years": 52 percent of all respondents

The $10.50/hour options drew the combined support of more than 65 percent in each of the three income categories for respondents -- less than $50k, $50-$100k, and $100k+. And it also had at least 50 percent support from both Democrats and Republicans.

The Siena poll also asked about the idea of a having a higher minimum wage downstate -- the yes/no split on that was 47/51 for all respondents. NYC respondents supported 55 percent, it was essentially even for people in the downstate suburbs, and upstate respondents opposed it 63-43.

The Siena Research Institute says the poll was conducted March 15-19 and has a +/- 3.5% margin of error.

As you think about winter, which of the following two statements is closer to your opinion

I dread it. The holidays may be enjoyable, but I can't stand the darkness, the cold and the ice and snow take a toll on me - 36 percent

It may be cold but it is a special time of year. I look forward to winter sports, sitting by a fire, catching up on reading, putting on my winter clothes and all the holidays and events the season provides - 60 percent

And thinking specifically about snow, would you describe yourself more as

Someone that gets excited about snow coming and looks forward to enjoying the related activities and its quiet beauty - 43 percent

Someone that figures out how to endure it, get it cleared away and wouldn't be upset if we had very little of it - 55 percent

The only demographic group that include majority excited about snow (beyond the margin of error): households with kids.

The results on recreational pot legalization might not be as far apart as they seem. The Q Poll reported a margin of error of 2.5 percentage points, and the Siena poll 3.5 points. And differences in the makeup of the samples could lead to different results. They also asked slightly different questions:

Q Poll: "Do you support or oppose allowing adults in New York State to legally possess small amounts of marijuana for personal use?"

Siena: "Looking beyond the issue of medical marijuana, two states - Colorado and Washington - have legalized and regulated marijuana for recreational use. Do you support or oppose passing a similar law in New York to legalize and regulate marijuana for recreational use?"

+ 72 percent of respondents said they were either very (28 percent) or somewhat (44 percent) excited about the holiday season.

+ The graph above details how people responded to a question about how much they plan to spend this year on gifts. Of people ages 35-49, 39 percent said they were in the $1000 or more category, as were 30 percent of people who reported there were kids in their household.

+ How much shopping online this year? 28 percent said at least half or more of their shopping -- and 33 percent said none.

+ 29 percent of people reported that they'd be buying a gift for themselves this year.

+ "Do you think retailers should or should not be open to shoppers on Thanksgiving?"
should: 30 percent | should not 64 percent (it was 38-54 in last year's poll)

+ "Will you be shopping for holiday gifts on Thanksgiving day this year at any of the retailers that are open on Thanksgiving?"
yes: 8 percent | no: 87 percent

+ When asked for whom Democratic respondents would vote for today, Kathy Sheehan led Corey Ellis 54-23, with 23 percent undecided. 85 percent of respondents said there was either "no chance" they would change their mind or it was unlikely.

+ When asked which candidate would do a better job on a series of issues, Sheehan led Ellis in every issue -- with the largest margins for economic development (50-19) and keeping city taxes under control (50-18) and "capitalizing on the Hudson River waterfront as an Albany asset" (49-14). Ellis was closest on fighting crime (39-26) and addressing neighborhood concerns (40-32).

+ 57 percent of respondents said they support term limits for mayor.

+ 71 percent of respondents said they had a favorable opinion of Jerry Jennings. And 66 percent said they rate his job as mayor as either good or excellent.

+ 51 percent said they believe the city is on the right track.

+ The poll also asked people's opinions on a handful of aspects of the city. The answers point to some disparities between how African-American and white residents perceive and experience the quality of things like the condition of parks and roads, and the job done by police. A graph of responses is after the jump.

The poll did not ask people about non-Democratic candidates.

Crosstabs. The margin of error for the poll was +/- 3.2 percentage points and +/- 3.8 percentage points for Democrats only.

The primary is September 10. Considering the fact that the city is overwhelmingly Democratic by enrollment, the primary is pretty much the de facto election. And last time around, only about 14,000 people cast a vote in the mayoral primary. So it's worth doing some research and voting, if you can -- because your vote really could matter. That's especially true in Common Council primaries, where seats are sometimes won by fewer than 20 votes.

+ When asked about how they view state politics, 52 percent of respondents said they were "distrustful, even cynical."

+ About 1/3 of respondents said it was either "very likely" or "somewhat likely" that their own state Senator or Assembly member could be arrested for corruption.

+ Percent who said they support: term limits, 82 percent; limiting candidates to one party line, 55 percent; a full-time legislature with no outside jobs, 54 percent. (If that were a Jeopardy clue, the correct response would be: "What are three things unlikely to happen with the New York State legislature?")

+ Andrew Cuomo's "favorable" number was 62 percent (it was 77 percent two years ago). And 16 percent of respondents said he was doing a "poor" job, the highest level so far. Fifty-three percent said they'd vote to re-elect him as things stand now.

The short story: After being a buyers' market for years, people think the real estate market is now shifting toward a state in which neither side necessarily has the upper hand.

The slightly longer story, from a statement by SRI director Don Levy:

For the second consecutive quarter, the assessment of housing values in every region of the state is positive and predicted to increase by New Yorkers. Even more importantly, sellers, who for so long were seen as hostages of the financial meltdown now, while not yet universally in the catbird seat, are seen as in a much stronger position and headed upwards. Buyers are still able to get value, but they are no longer able to demand concessions from every seller. All numbers, strong overall market grade, strengthening sellers and modulating buyers, point towards robust real estate health.

And the somewhat longer story is in the report linked above.

In the Capital Region core in 2012, the number of closed sales was up between 10-18 percent in the four counties, and median sale prices were 2-4 percent. But median prices were roughly the same as they were in 2008.

Forty-five percent of respondents in the poll said the Yankees were either their favorite or second favorite team. Next up: the Giants, at 29 percent, and the Mets, 22 percent. The full lineup is after the jump. (Poor, Jets...)

MMA
The poll also asked people whether they support or oppose legalization of mixed-martial arts. Among all the respondents, legalization was favored 44-31. Among respondents identified as sports fans, it was 53-27. And among people ages 18-34, it was 71-16.

+ "[W]hat do you, personally, enjoy most about the holiday season?" Spending time with family and friends: 76 percent.

+ "[W]hat do you, personally, enjoy the least about the holiday season?" The commercialization of the holiday: 41 percent.

+ "Will you be shopping on the Friday after Thanksgiving this year?" Yes: 23 percent | No: 69 percent.

+ "Do you think retailers should or should not be open to shoppers on Thanksgiving night?" Yes: 38 percent | No: 54 percent. The younger the person, the more likely they were to say yes (55 percent of 18-34 year olds).

+ "Would you say you and your household are better off financially today than you were at this time four years ago or that you are not better off financially than you were in October 2008?"
better off: 35% | not better off: 47% | the same: 17% -- upstate, the split was 34/51/14.

+ When people were asked whether they thought businesses in their community were better off now than four years ago, 64% of people upstate said "worse off" compared to just 14% who said "better off." (The split was 56/17 statewide.)

+ When asked if people thought the current economic problems were temporary, or "our country's best economic days are behind us" (temporary/behind us): Democrats 56/44 | Republicans 34/66 | Independents 51/49.

A large majority of New Yorkers support raising the state's minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 per hour, according to the Siena poll out today. Of the people polled, support for the increase ran 78-17. The group registering the lowest support for the increase was Republicans -- and even among that group, 58 percent support it.

A few other interesting bits from today's poll:

+ One of Andrew Cuomo's strategies since becoming governor has appeared to be finding ways to allow the legislature to look good (while still doing what he wants it to do). It seems to be working: the number of people saying they have a "favorable" opinion of the Assembly and Senate are at "highest ever" levels* -- in the upper 40s.

+ The percent of people who said "don't know" or have "no opinion" of Kirsten Gillibrand is 25 percent -- the same as it was back in January 2011. We suspect this is roughly the same percentage of people who would feel open about admitting they don't follow politics or government at all. Chuck Schumer's don't know/no opinion: 9. See also:Chuck who?

+ KG still easily beats any of the potential Republicans in a hypothetical matchup for the US Senate.

+ The percent of people who agreed that New York State is on the "right track": 55 percent, a "highest ever" level.

* "Trends reflect questions asked at least twice since the first Siena College Poll in February 2005."

+ 67 percent of people said they are excited about the holiday season; 32 percent said they're not.

+ 34 percent of people said they're cutting back their holiday spending this year compared to last (37 percent said they were last year). Seven percent said they're increasing (compared to 4 percent last year).

+ 23 percent of people said their financial situation is better compared to last year; 30 percent said it's worse.

+ 26 percent said they plan to spend $1,000+ on gifts.

+ 19 percent of people said they shop on the day after Thanksgiving.

+ 57 percent said they planned to do at least some online shopping -- and of those people, 30 percent said it was because of crowds.

+ 59 percent said they try to buy gifts from locally-owned and operated businesses.

+ 77 percent said they would be making a charitable contribution this season; 30 percent said they'd be volunteering.

+ What people enjoy most about the holidays: 77 percent said spending time with family and friends. What people enjoy the least: 39 percent said the commercialization of the holidays. (Takeaway: your family and friends would probably rather you make time for them than buy them a gift.)

+ On whether Occupiers should be allowed to stay in parks 24 hours a day -- 57 percent said yes (67 percent of Democrats, 42 percent of Republicans).

+ Favorable/unfavorable: Occupy Wall Street 45/44 | Tea Party 28/60.

+ "Do you think there has been too much media coverage [of Occupy Wall Street movement], about the right amount of coverage, or not enough coverage?" 29 percent said too much, 46 percent right amount, 22 percent not enough. Republicans were split 41/41 on too much versus right amount.

It's been interesting watching reaction to the Occupy movement on Twitter and other places online. The reaction seems to range from automatic, uncritical support to contempt/borderline disgust. That's kind of remarkable for a movement/group whose message lacks sharp focus. Then again, maybe that allows everyone to project their own notions onto the situation.

In the Siena poll out today 57 percent of New Yorkers said they would support a constitutional amendment to allow casinos not owned by Native Americans to be built in the state -- 36 percent said they oppose it. Respondents seemed to think that the casinos would bring more jobs (78 percent agree) and government revenue (71 percent) -- but also increase problems such as crime and compulsive gambling (54 percent).

A few other bits, about the state's apparently undying love for Derek Jeter, MMA, and sports betting...

+ 42 percent of respondents said they were worse off financially now than they were last year. 16 percent said they were better off.

+ 50 percent said this statement matched their thinking about the economy: "Unfortunately, I think our country's best economic days are behind us. I'm afraid the next generation will have to accept a lower standard of living."

+ But 59 percent of people said they think the economy will be better in 10 years. (19 percent said it would be worse.)

A Siena poll out Tuesday reports the Yankees are New York State's favorite sports team. Fifty-six percent of respondents said the Bronx Bombers are their first, second, or third favorite team (30 percent overall said the Yanks are their #1 favorite).

Perhaps not surprising then that Derek Jeter topped the list for "single greatest athlete of all time that played for a New York team or that you associate with sports in New York." Fourteen percent of people named Jeter when asked that question. Babe Ruth was second at 11 percent. No other athlete registered above 5 percent. The two demographic groups with the highest number of people naming Jeter: women and Latinos, both at 17 percent.

On MMA: When asked whether they supported or opposed legalizing mixed martial arts in New York State, 41 percent said they were opposed. 39 percent said they supported MMA legalization. And 19 percent said they didn't know enough about it.

Instant replay in baseball: 54 percent support | 31 percent oppose.

NFL labor situation: 58 percent of people said they supported in the players in the ongoing NFL labor negotiations. 21 percent said they side with the owners. And 100 percent said to wake them when/if the season ever starts. (OK, we made up that last bit.)

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